Pristiq for Major Depressive Disorder User Reviews (Page 3)

• Robert
• January 25, 2020

"Hi , First off I hope most or all Is somewhat well with everybody In here ! Let's make this very short and to the point... I have been on Pristiq and the last few years the generic form of It for a total of around 7-8 years ... I have been seeing countless Drs of course Including my psych Dr. for these all of the sudden recent symptoms - 24/7 nausea, 24/7 dizziness , sore throat with lump in it at times , just feelings of not being present in my own body, constantly thinking that I am going to pass away. It Is so bad that I cannot play or spend quality time with my only grandson!!! Constant crying and doom. Had an endoscopy and a heart cath which turned out fine. Heavy blood work which Is good ....Drs think possible tooth Infection from rotted teeth, GI prob, or Sleep Apnea. Oh and another huge symptom Is really never being able to sleep ! Could this medication be catching up to me ???? And any thoughts for care on sore throat - all these for past 4 months."

• Adub
• December 5, 2019

"I promised myself and others that once I was at around 6 weeks of using this I would review it as I have had one nightmare of a ride that last year trying multiple different psychotropic meds finally I am feeling normal. I can function, get up early, come home from work and actually play with my kids, get chores complete even after a full day of work, the list goes on. I had really bad insomnia that made my depression and anxiety 100 x worse before this medication and was just starting to sleep normal again (with seroquel and trazadone) but was still very depressed. I started this with hesitation knowing in the past SSRI's would give me insomnia for a while. The insomnia on this med decreased from extreme in the first week to mild by week 6 (now). Insomnia is a big trigger for me so to be sleeping now (with ambien and klonopin) is great. I was on the brink of suicide day after day for the last 6-8 months. I take 50 mg of Pristiq"

• Jessy...
• January 16, 2018

"This has been my 'miracle drug'. My depression was identified as medication resistant meaning that nothing worked. ECT was suggested I refused and wanted to try a few more meds first against my Drs advice. I'm glad I did Pristiq has completely stopped my depressive lows. Thanks to my Bipolar Disorder I regularly had depressive episodes that would last for months. Now... I still have my 'down days' but are nowhere near as severe and only last a day or two..."

• Moving...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 14, 2020

"I’ve been on Pristiq for around 9 months now. Initially getting on it was hard but then it was the best thing for me at the time it really got me out of a tough place. But then I started to gain weight and usually my weight is quite stable but now I’m bigger than ever. I get an intense pain in my jaw making it hard for me to eat. I have no sex drive what so ever and my memory is shocking that I can hardly think straight. If I miss my dose time by an hour the brain zaps are terrible and I can hardly concentrate. I’m heading to the doctors tomorrow to get off and hoping I don’t put on more weight in the process because the weight gain is making me feel a lot worse. I’ve given it a 2 as it was super helpful at the start and it’s the only meds that have really helped me mentally but I can’t cope with the side effects."

• Fadep...
• January 18, 2020

"This drug Pristiq has worked well for me and my depression, but it has me concerned that I will have a very hard time if I ever stop taking it. Your body seems to develop a need to have this drug in your system and side effects from missing even one dose are alarming. Severe headaches and tingling sensations in hands and feet have been my experience. Definitely don't just up and stop taking this if you are already on it. You will be in for a wildly unpleasant ride."

• Mom2b...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 15, 2019

"I have major depression and horrible anxiety since childhood. I have been on Pristiq for 3 years. I tried many many antidepressants and they either didn't work or the side effects were so awful I had to discontinue before it worked. I'm sensitive to medication but had no problems with Pristiq. I never have had the foggy/zombie feeling like other antidepressants can cause. It worked really good for about 2 1/2 years (really stopped working when I was switched to generic) Now I am slowly tapering off onto a new med. Just be careful coming off Pristiq. I went 5 days without it (issues with insurance and doctor's office) and it was a living nightmare! Full blown panic attacks, dizziness, severe nausea, brain zaps and out of touch with reality. Overall, I would recommend Pristiq. Everyone's body is different but it worked wonders for me!"

• Jake
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 11, 2019

"I give Pristiq a 10 for feeling better and 5 because it masks poor life circumstances so you can cope, but you aren't doing anything about possible underlying issues and meanwhile your actual real life can get dysfunctional. Took it for 3 years - got my degree done which was awesome but then realised that I was tolerating normally intolerable domestic violence levels at home. Took myself off it and now living the dream "

• Meh
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 27, 2023

"I am currently taking Pristiq. When I first started taking it, I experienced noticeable side effects, despite being accustomed to antidepressants from having taken different types before. I had headaches, a yeast infection, and a decreased appetite. I could not eat and did not feel hungry. However, it did change me. I had more energy, even though I was still depressed, and started cleaning and doing many things. After a few weeks, my depression began to lessen, but I was also attempting to make myself feel better by doing yoga, meditation, and journaling. I became accustomed to the pill, but if I went 10 hours without taking Pristiq, I would feel strange and experience headaches, brain zaps, mood swings, and anger. After two days, I would experience severe withdrawal side effects such as crying, depressive episodes, and anxiety. After four days, I would feel suicidal and very angry. Although I am still taking Pristiq, I would like to stop taking it. However, I am afraid of the withdrawal symptoms, as I am still a student. Even if it might be helpful, I do not believe it is the answer."

• Sash
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 18, 2019

"36 yr old female. Dx of severe depression & anxiety. After getting through the first couple weeks of almost debilitating headaches, loss of appetite (which I'm already under weight & have tried everything to gain some lbs), insomnia (isn't new for me, but it just makes it much worse), and extreme nausea & over all feeling of complete garbage, this medication has been amazing for me. I had tried just about all of the main antidepressants & this one has truly helped me so much. I just have a very hard time remembering to take it. & after missing just a day or two, when I start to take it again, I have to go through the awful feeling from the side effects all over again."

• Bethkk
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2014

"I took Pristiq for one day. It was the most distressing experience ever. For about 48 hours, had blurry vision, jumpy eyes, dizziness, sweating, and kept changing moods every 5 minutes. First was crying, then felt high and was starring into space. Have taken Lexapro before and never felt anything remotely close to this horrible. This medicine was not for me."

• Archie
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 25, 2022

"I’ve been on Pristiq for 21 years after trying almost every other anti-depressant on the market. I take 200mg day in the morning. And if I forget (and once in a blue moon I do) I am in tears by the second day, which always reminds me. It has saved my life !!! LITERALLY !!! I would be dead by now if I hadn’t been on it. I also take another anti-depressant at night called Valdoxan (50mg) which was added about 5 years ago. My depression is major and is still not wholly controlled. But I am SO much better than I was, and I thank this to Pristiq. None of the others worked for me. I can’t remember if I had any side effects at the beginning, it’s too long ago, but I know I will be on this for the rest of my life - or I will die - it’s as simple as that. The only side effect I experience is loss of libido which my husband and I happily trade for me being alive. So if you are clinically depressed and want to feel better, ask your Dr about it. Stay safe."

• SBritt
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 27, 2021

"For me Pristiq was a miracle. After several years on paxil, Zoloft and effexor I still did not seem whole and was still very depressed but in a zombie like state feeling no emotion to anything. I weaned myself off. Then my Dr. told me about Pristiq and started me at 50 mgs which helped just not much. The next week he upped my dose to 100 mgs and a whole new world opened up for me. I didn't experience any side effects And also dropped some weight. For me Pristiq changed my life for the better. Very expensive drug but worth it."

• Eric
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 12, 2021

"I’ve been on every anti depressant known to man, plus lithium and risperidone. This is the only things that has worked and has helped me feel normal but also good at the same time. This has saved my life."

• Khale...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 10, 2019

"I take 100 mg Pristiq with 7.5 mg Remeron. Pristiq did not do much on its own but this combination works wonders for my depression and anxiety. I am actually happy now! I had the Gene test done and both Remeron and Pristiq were recommended."

• Godhe...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 1, 2022

"This left me with worsening depression and suicidal thoughts. I'm coming off it, and the withdrawals makes things even worse. Now I'm even more suicidal with brain zaps. I feel like I'm in a nightmare."

• ShBoi
• June 9, 2019

"I had headaches and nausea during the initial adjustment phase when starting Pristiq (for MDD). The only real long term side effects I’ve had is I definitely find it much harder to concentrate and I’m pretty flat all the time. I don’t get the highs, but more importantly I don’t get the lows which I have no doubt would have ended my life. It has allowed me to deal with what would normally be very stressful situations (redundancy, loss of contact with siblings) with ease as it just stops things getting on top of me and I have move of a ‘whatever’ attitude which at times makes me feel like an emotionless robot. I remind myself of how I used to deal with these situations and being a robot is FAR better for both me and my family. Anyone thinking of trying Pristiq needs to give it time as there will be an adjustment period. You can’t make any decisions after a week or two. You need to do at least a month-6 weeks for everything to adjust and settle down to see how it’s really working for you."

• Al Gris
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 5, 2022

"Horrible experience. I wish I had never started. I had serotonin syndrome going from 50mg to 100mg, I literally couldn't get out of bed for a week, anxiety, major depression, paranoia, dilated pupils, you name it. I went back to my Doc and he immediately told me to stop taking it. We switched over to an SSRI and now I'm doing a lot better. Again I honestly wish I had never agreed on taking Pristiq. 0/10."

• DD...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 31, 2017

"Pristiq, BRAND NAME ONLY, I give 10 plus. Best thing out there for me. 50mg - barely any side effects, crazy night sweats, but sex drive in check - key for happy soul and relationships. Do not take generic, I had a serious relapse in depression almost put me in the hospital. Mind you, it took 3 months for us to realize what was happening so be careful! The generic is too new to find much information and if you goggle how inadequate testing is, you'll be persuaded not to use. Found Pristiq after decades of different cocktails until my new DR. had me take a genetic test - not ancestry test. I highly suggest, super informative regarding how your body breakdown psych. Meds. Thank you for sharing - today I live because I am not alone"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 11, 2014

"Pristiq was a miracle for me. I was originally put on the 50mg and my mood drastically changed from depressed and anxious to happy and functioning. Do NOT forget to take it, though. I forgot to take a dose one day and I was a mess the whole day, and then when I finally took it again, it didn't work as well so I had to have the dosage doubled. Then I ran out and couldn't get in touch with my psychiatrist so I spent about a week off of it. Was extremely depressed and had to be watched closely by my family and boyfriend to make sure that I didn't hurt myself. Tried going back on it but it no longer worked. I'm not sure if I hadn't had those mishaps with taking it if I would still be on it but it was definitely a lifesaver while it worked."

• Bobbie...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 28, 2022

"Horrendous side effects for me, I was on it for just over 5+ weeks. Pristiq made me have intrusive suicidal thoughts. Also lapsed into acute psychosis when I went from 50mg to 100mg. It's beyond me that it doesn't come in a 25mg dosage in my country as this would have prevented the serotonin syndrome symptoms I suffered. Far better off stepping up in 25mg doses in my experience. I've now had my doctor switch me to a new medication and doing a lot better."

• Elaine...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 4, 2017

"Its been nearly 2 years on various doses of Pristiq, and 100mg each day works best for my mind. Thankfully. I have some side effects that annoy me a lot, like no appetite, nausea, gut problems & worst of all- killed my libido this whole time. It simply ceased to exist. I continue to take my meds. I'm a widow raising a 12 year old for last 7 years after my Husband died suddenly very suddenly of swine flu. So much has been lost from that day. Inevitably it took its toll on me. Not a complete person anymore. Its like I feel asexual... But I am alive and kicking"

• HerdMom
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 19, 2021

"I literally took this medication for 1 day at 25mg. I've been on so many meds, had ECT treatments. The whole 9 yards. It started with nausea and dizziness within an hour. By hour 2 my joints hurt so bad and extremely fatigued. I dissociated bad throughout most of the day at work, I had to be snapped out of it. That night after work...my muscles and joints hurt so bad and I was still dissociating so bad. I felt so so bad and that came with a whole new set of emotions. I emailed my psychiatrist. She called me the next day literally 10 minutes after my daily dose (in which I cried and cried because I had to take this pill again) and told me to stop taking it immediately. That my body was metabolizing it too fast and I should not be having these kinds of side effects at all. So, now we're on to trintellix. And if that doesn't do the trick, some nasal spray treatment. So defeating."

• 24...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 9, 2015

"The first two days on Pristiq I felt really heavy and out of it. I knew it was working when the initial shock to my body passed - I was ready to give something a chance for my anxiety and major depression. So, two weeks on it I'm starting to feel a lot happier. but there has been some slight apprehension along the way due to some side effects: constipation and worried about other potential SE's from SNRI's but this medication seems to be pretty mild (50mg) and has been helping to level out my Serotonin - norepinephrine levels."

• Meds
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 14, 2022

"Been on it 3+ weeks, first 3 were 50mg, now up to 100mg because I still had breakthrough moments of dark thoughts. Love this med so much- minimal side effects that have gone away quickly (insomnia first night, constipation first few days). Feel a lot happier genuinely- like I don’t have the dark cloud blocking out my happy light. On adderall 20mg x2 daily and abilify 5mg as well. But was still depressed until pristiq!"

• Carol
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 12, 2019

"This is the worst experience I’ve had on a medication. Pristiq made me more depressed than ever and increased my suicidal thoughts. I started having uncontrollable crying spells so bad I was leaving work because they just wouldn’t stop. I know for some people it may work but this has been the worst time I’ve ever had on this."